Orbital: Difference between revisions
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{{Center|{{Article Quote|With a lot of situational awareness, and a little luck, hopefully the only thing you will lose is your luggage.}}}} | {{Center|{{Article Quote|With a lot of situational awareness, and a little luck, hopefully the only thing you will lose is your luggage.}}}} | ||
'''Orbital''' is one of three maps in the [[Mythic Map Pack]] designed for ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref>Game Informer December 2008</ref> ''Orbital'', along with ''[[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]'' and ''[[Sandbox]]'', ships with the [[Halo Wars: Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] of ''[[Halo Wars]]''. It was released on [[Xbox LIVE]] Marketplace with the two other Mythic maps on April 9, [[2009]]. | '''Orbital''' is one of three maps in the [[Mythic Map Pack]] designed for ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref name="gameinformer">Game Informer December 2008</ref> ''Orbital'', along with ''[[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]'' and ''[[Sandbox]]'', ships with the [[Halo Wars: Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] of ''[[Halo Wars]]''. It was released on [[Xbox LIVE]] Marketplace with the two other Mythic maps on April 9, [[2009]]. | ||
==Setting== | ==Setting== | ||
{{Main|Quito Space Tether}} | {{Main|Quito Space Tether}} | ||
Orbital takes place inside the docking-station for the [[Quito Space Tether]], a [[space elevator]] above South America that transports cargo and people in and out of the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere easily. The map is the setting of the [[Epilogue]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. The map contains plaques dedicated to Doctors [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]] and [[Wallace Fujikawa]], the creators of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]. Orbital also contains many aesthetic elements, such as windows showing the Earth, electronic devices like display screens, escalators, and even a video phone. Overall the map has a feel of advanced technology.<ref | Orbital takes place inside the docking-station for the [[Quito Space Tether]], a [[space elevator]] above South America that transports cargo and people in and out of the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere easily. The map is the setting of the [[Epilogue]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. The map contains plaques dedicated to Doctors [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]] and [[Wallace Fujikawa]], the creators of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]. Orbital also contains many aesthetic elements, such as windows showing the Earth, electronic devices like display screens, escalators, and even a video phone. Overall the map has a feel of advanced technology.<ref name="gameinformer"/> | ||
==Design== | ==Design== | ||
It is said to be best for asymmetrical objective games, like [[Capture the Flag]] and [[Assault]], but also has some natural deadlocks that makes [[Slayer]] interesting and [[Infection]] "terrifying". It's essentially two overlapping hallways in horseshoe shaped levels, so each team can see the other one's spawn through a window above or below them, but they are separated. Both bases of the map have operable doors that are important for objective games.<ref | It is said to be best for asymmetrical objective games, like [[Capture the Flag]] and [[Assault]], but also has some natural deadlocks that makes [[Slayer]] interesting and [[Infection]] "terrifying". It's essentially two overlapping hallways in horseshoe shaped levels, so each team can see the other one's spawn through a window above or below them, but they are separated. Both bases of the map have operable doors that are important for objective games.<ref name="gameinformer"> It's a two-story map, and one base is located at the end of the second level hallway. The middle of the connecting horseshoes features a chasm which separates both sides, effectively forming a choke point that is crucial to hold. | ||
It was reported in a [[Bungie Weekly Update]] that one part of the map has a deadly chasm, which can be easily traversed once it is "unlocked". However, this seems to have changed since that information was released, long before the map was ever shown. Orbital has several such locks and switches "to disable and enable access to various parts of the map". However, the only switches currently found in the map are the two door switches in either base (that only open the doors, and do not close them). Currently, there is no way to open up other sections of the map. Orbital has been described as cleanly beautiful, yet haunting and having signs of abrupt abandonment. The map has two exits out of either base, plus a small maintenance hallway leading to the upper level. This makes defending on CTF interesting. | It was reported in a [[Bungie Weekly Update]] that one part of the map has a deadly chasm, which can be easily traversed once it is "unlocked". However, this seems to have changed since that information was released, long before the map was ever shown. Orbital has several such locks and switches "to disable and enable access to various parts of the map". However, the only switches currently found in the map are the two door switches in either base (that only open the doors, and do not close them). Currently, there is no way to open up other sections of the map. Orbital has been described as cleanly beautiful, yet haunting and having signs of abrupt abandonment. The map has two exits out of either base, plus a small maintenance hallway leading to the upper level. This makes defending on CTF interesting. | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
===Production notes=== | ===Production notes=== | ||
*Orbital, then known as "Moonbase Alpha", was in production as early as January 2008. <ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13160 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 1/11/08''] - ''“Moon Base Alpha” – a codename only - is definitely still being worked on. It’s received some new lighting and different switches to enable and disable access to various parts of the map. We’re still playing it pretty often. It is a brutal map to play on, that may appeal to fans of Elongation, but is absolutely NOT a remake.''</ref> At this time, it was said to be something that would appeal to fans of the map [[Elongation]]. The map was later teased under the codename "Space Camp" in the 14/02/2008 Bungie Humpday Challenge<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=13262 '''Bungie.net''': ''Humpday Challenge: Toying With Macfarlane''] - ''While it’s not the prettiest map in all of Halo history (seriously, the upcoming map nicknamed Spacecamp very well might be, IMHO)''</ref>, before later being confirmed to be the same map as "Moonbase Alpha".<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13264 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 2/15/08''] - ''In this week’s Humpday Challenge we mentioned a map called "Spacecamp" and its aesthetic beauty. Folks saw that and thought we were mentioning a brand new, never-before-talked-about map. We weren’t, the map we called Spacecamp is actually the map we’ve been talking about for a while now: Moonbase Alpha. While there are undoubtedly other maps in production, we didn’t just give away mention of a new one, we’re at least somewhat careful, sometimes. Moonbase Alpha’s lighting, decorators and general aesthetic continues to impress each time a new build pops up on my dev kit. A small garden of Ivy embraces a shrine in memory of the creators of the Shaw Fujikawa warp drive. And there are crates, oh yes, there are handsome crates.''</ref> More details were later revealed in May 2008 alongside "[[Assembly (level)|Purple Reign]]" and "[[Cold Storage|Smuggler]]", confirming the map's setting of a UNSC space station.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13824 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 05/23/08'']</ref> | *Orbital, then known as "Moonbase Alpha", was in production as early as January 2008. <ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13160 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 1/11/08''] - ''“Moon Base Alpha” – a codename only - is definitely still being worked on. It’s received some new lighting and different switches to enable and disable access to various parts of the map. We’re still playing it pretty often. It is a brutal map to play on, that may appeal to fans of Elongation, but is absolutely NOT a remake.''</ref> At this time, it was said to be something that would appeal to fans of the map [[Elongation]]. The map was later teased under the codename "Space Camp" in the 14/02/2008 Bungie Humpday Challenge<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=13262 '''Bungie.net''': ''Humpday Challenge: Toying With Macfarlane''] - ''While it’s not the prettiest map in all of Halo history (seriously, the upcoming map nicknamed Spacecamp very well might be, IMHO)''</ref>, before later being confirmed to be the same map as "Moonbase Alpha".<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13264 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 2/15/08''] - ''In this week’s Humpday Challenge we mentioned a map called "Spacecamp" and its aesthetic beauty. Folks saw that and thought we were mentioning a brand new, never-before-talked-about map. We weren’t, the map we called Spacecamp is actually the map we’ve been talking about for a while now: Moonbase Alpha. While there are undoubtedly other maps in production, we didn’t just give away mention of a new one, we’re at least somewhat careful, sometimes. Moonbase Alpha’s lighting, decorators and general aesthetic continues to impress each time a new build pops up on my dev kit. A small garden of Ivy embraces a shrine in memory of the creators of the Shaw Fujikawa warp drive. And there are crates, oh yes, there are handsome crates.''</ref> More details were later revealed in May 2008 alongside "[[Assembly (level)|Purple Reign]]" and "[[Cold Storage|Smuggler]]", confirming the map's setting of a UNSC space station.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13824 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 05/23/08'']</ref> The first screenshot of the map was revealed in November 2008.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=16551 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 11/21/08'']</ref> | ||
*The male that can be heard over the intercom is Bungie environment artist [[Chris Carney]]. | *The male that can be heard over the intercom is Bungie environment artist [[Chris Carney]]. | ||
*The view of Earth on some of the monitors is actually a screenshot from one of the ''Halo 2'' trailers. | *The view of Earth on some of the monitors is actually a screenshot from one of the ''Halo 2'' trailers. | ||
Revision as of 16:14, July 9, 2019
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Template:Multiplayer Map Infobox
Orbital is one of three maps in the Mythic Map Pack designed for Halo 3.[1] Orbital, along with Assembly and Sandbox, ships with the Limited Edition of Halo Wars. It was released on Xbox LIVE Marketplace with the two other Mythic maps on April 9, 2009.
Setting
- Main article: Quito Space Tether
Orbital takes place inside the docking-station for the Quito Space Tether, a space elevator above South America that transports cargo and people in and out of the Earth's atmosphere easily. The map is the setting of the Epilogue in Halo 3: ODST. The map contains plaques dedicated to Doctors Tobias Fleming Shaw and Wallace Fujikawa, the creators of the Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine. Orbital also contains many aesthetic elements, such as windows showing the Earth, electronic devices like display screens, escalators, and even a video phone. Overall the map has a feel of advanced technology.[1]
Design
It is said to be best for asymmetrical objective games, like Capture the Flag and Assault, but also has some natural deadlocks that makes Slayer interesting and Infection "terrifying". It's essentially two overlapping hallways in horseshoe shaped levels, so each team can see the other one's spawn through a window above or below them, but they are separated. Both bases of the map have operable doors that are important for objective games.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag At this time, it was said to be something that would appeal to fans of the map Elongation. The map was later teased under the codename "Space Camp" in the 14/02/2008 Bungie Humpday Challenge[2], before later being confirmed to be the same map as "Moonbase Alpha".[3] More details were later revealed in May 2008 alongside "Purple Reign" and "Smuggler", confirming the map's setting of a UNSC space station.[4] The first screenshot of the map was revealed in November 2008.[5]
- The male that can be heard over the intercom is Bungie environment artist Chris Carney.
- The view of Earth on some of the monitors is actually a screenshot from one of the Halo 2 trailers.
Easter eggs
- Some of the computer monitors across the map make reference to Cairo Station.
- Several terminals within Orbital have schedules on them labeled with the names of several notable locations in the Halo series, for example: Charybdis IX and Gilgamesh.
- The lift at the bottom of the shaft has a total of 7 flashing lights.
- By the escalator at red base, a newspaper clipping can be found on the floor reading, "Covenant on Earth!", similar to the crumpled newspaper on Longshore.
- On the various screens around the map there are text boxes containing the standard Lorem Ipsum text.
- There is a secret room just under and to the left of the rocket spawn.
- The Orbital Skull can be found on this level.
- At both entries, there are signs that say "Welcome" written in many languages.
Glitches
- Through use of glitches, Orbital offers an opportunity for players to experience direct exposure to space in Halo 3, except for the Valhalla Banshee glitch found only in the Halo 3 Beta.
- Many players have escaped from Orbital via the windows. Using teleporters, players can find their way to an invisible floor above the map, that allows the player to walk around. The death barriers above the map kill players instantly, but they are easy to avoid once a player determines their locations.
Gallery
Orbital Map.
An escalator leading towards another chamber, and on the wall is the tribute to Tobias Fleming Shaw.
A loading dock with Sniper Rifle in sight.
Another hallway with two Mongooses in sight.
A hallway with vegetation on the wall, as well as two information tubes displaying "Welcome" in several languages.
The main control station.
Orbital Heatmap.
The surface below.
A Spartan-II passing by a window in Orbital.
A battle on Orbital.
A band of the Milky Way Galaxy, as seen from Orbital.
Sources
- ^ a b Game Informer December 2008
- ^ Bungie.net: Humpday Challenge: Toying With Macfarlane - While it’s not the prettiest map in all of Halo history (seriously, the upcoming map nicknamed Spacecamp very well might be, IMHO)
- ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 2/15/08 - In this week’s Humpday Challenge we mentioned a map called "Spacecamp" and its aesthetic beauty. Folks saw that and thought we were mentioning a brand new, never-before-talked-about map. We weren’t, the map we called Spacecamp is actually the map we’ve been talking about for a while now: Moonbase Alpha. While there are undoubtedly other maps in production, we didn’t just give away mention of a new one, we’re at least somewhat careful, sometimes. Moonbase Alpha’s lighting, decorators and general aesthetic continues to impress each time a new build pops up on my dev kit. A small garden of Ivy embraces a shrine in memory of the creators of the Shaw Fujikawa warp drive. And there are crates, oh yes, there are handsome crates.
- ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 05/23/08
- ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 11/21/08
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